(Based upon an email commenting on a report by Griffith University, Queensland, on GHG emissions in Australia.)
The Griffith University researchers have really stretched on this one, having charged us with saying far more than we said. They painstakingly point out that correlation is not causation and then basically say that we found a causal relationship between urban consolidation and higher GHGs.
We did no such thing. Virtually exclusively we used the word "association" (or lack of it) to note the relationship between the studied variables and urban consolidation (the word appears 32 times).
Our report simply took the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) analysis to its logical conclusion. It is fine for ACF to do a report that identifies GHGs by local authority area --- and indeed their work so far as it goes is by far the best I have seen in the world. Since they did not complete the job, however --- to increase the size of the analysis zones so that a more "macro" view could be obtained, we did. In light of the causal relationship that urban consolidation proponents have liked to suggest between inner city living and lower GHGs, this was important and their failure to put this data out there was a serious omission. One can only wonder why the research was not completed (imagine the headlines in the Courier-Mail, Sydney Morning Herald, etc.).
We did offer conclusions, none suggesting cause. Our most important conclusion was that, given the strong association that seems to be in opposition to the widely held views of the urban consolidation agenda, policy should not leap before looking much more closely.
In my view, our research stands (along with that of the Australian Conservation Foundation, which is its data source), unscathed and has been criticized principally for something that it did not do. We noted association, not causation.
Specifically, the conclusions of our report are (page 14):
1. Lower GHG emissions are associated with locations farther from the core.
2. Lower GHG emissions are associated with more detached housing.
3. Lower GHG emissions are associated with greater auto use.
4. Lower GHG emissions are associated with lower population density.
What the ACF data says is that before “sleepwalking” into GHG reduction policies based upon preconceived (and even ideological) notions, it is essential that reliable data be developed so that policies can genuinely address the objective.
ACF Australian Conservation Atlas
Housing Form in Australia and its Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Griffith University Paper
2008/11/27
2008/11/24
Ways to Work Program: A Nobel Prize?
Ways to Work Program: A Nobel Prize?
The national Ways to Work program has improved the employment and education opportunities of low-income households across the United States. The model is similar to that used Mohammed Unus, who recently won the Nobel Prize for his small loan program in Bengladesh.
WAYS TO WORK PROGRAM
Economist Mohammed Yunus recently won the Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking project that makes small loans available to the low-income residents of Bengladesh. In making the award, the Nobel Committee noted the importance of finding ways for people to break out of poverty. Unus’ Grameen Bank has developed an impressive record of assisting poor households to enter the mainstream of economic life in Bangladesh.
The applicability of the Unus model is not limited to low-income nations. The national Ways to Work program has been working for more than 20 years to bring low-income households across the United States into the economic mainstream. A principal strategy has been to provide loans, like Unus, to low-income households. Ways to Work helps households buy cars.
Why cars? Simply because in modern urban areas, whether in the United States, Western Europe or the low-income world, cars expand exponentially the geographical area in which people can search for employment. Research at the University of California, the Brookings Institution and the Progressive Policy Institute demonstrates that cars are crucial to obtaining better employment. The problem is, of course, that despite the romantic affection for transit, it is simply unable to provide mobility to much more than the downtown area, and that’s not where most of the jobs are.
A recent evaluation report looked at a representative sample of Ways to Work borrowers, and found the following:
It may be time for the Nobel Committee to honor the model Ways to Work program.
(Originally published 20061130)
The national Ways to Work program has improved the employment and education opportunities of low-income households across the United States. The model is similar to that used Mohammed Unus, who recently won the Nobel Prize for his small loan program in Bengladesh.
WAYS TO WORK PROGRAM
Economist Mohammed Yunus recently won the Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking project that makes small loans available to the low-income residents of Bengladesh. In making the award, the Nobel Committee noted the importance of finding ways for people to break out of poverty. Unus’ Grameen Bank has developed an impressive record of assisting poor households to enter the mainstream of economic life in Bangladesh.
The applicability of the Unus model is not limited to low-income nations. The national Ways to Work program has been working for more than 20 years to bring low-income households across the United States into the economic mainstream. A principal strategy has been to provide loans, like Unus, to low-income households. Ways to Work helps households buy cars.
Why cars? Simply because in modern urban areas, whether in the United States, Western Europe or the low-income world, cars expand exponentially the geographical area in which people can search for employment. Research at the University of California, the Brookings Institution and the Progressive Policy Institute demonstrates that cars are crucial to obtaining better employment. The problem is, of course, that despite the romantic affection for transit, it is simply unable to provide mobility to much more than the downtown area, and that’s not where most of the jobs are.
A recent evaluation report looked at a representative sample of Ways to Work borrowers, and found the following:
Working families who have received Ways to Work loans have, on average, increased their incomes more than 40 percent in the first year.
More than 80 percent of the borrowers who were previously on cash grant public assistance programs saw their incomes rise so much that they were able to leave the public assistance programs.
Many of the borrowers indicated that having the car made it possible for them to complete education and training programs.
Demonstrating how success breeds success, one-third of borrowers have since been able to obtain new loans through conventional sources.
Finally, nearly all of the borrowers said that having a car increased the time they could spend with their families and improved their quality of life.
It may be time for the Nobel Committee to honor the model Ways to Work program.
(Originally published 20061130)
Tata's One Lakh Car
A growing body of research indicates a strong relationship between mobility and household income. Throughout the high-income world, the automobile and other motorized forms of personal mobility (such as the motorcycle or the auto-rickshaw) provide the greatest mobility, making it possible for their users to travel from their residences to jobs throughout the urban area. This works best in high-income world urban areas where there motorized personal mobility are much more widely available. Non-motorized transport (such as walking and bicycles), despite its romantic appeal to some, simply cannot provide mobility throughout the modern urban area because it is too slow.
Medium-income and low-income urban areas will need much better mobility for their incomes to increase (along with the even more important issues of rule of law and property rights). It thus comes as good news that India’s Tata Motors is developing a “1 lakh” ($2,200) car. “Lakh” is an Indian term meaning 100,000. Thus a 1 lakh car is a 100,000 rupee car. This translates into approximately $2,200. Currently, Tata’s lowest price car is approximately $7,000.
Obviously the 1 lakh car will not have all of the features that would be expected of a Japanese, American or European economy car. However, it will provide the same basic need --- mobility throughout the urban area. It is expected that the 1 lakh car will be on the market by 2008. This revolutionary development has great potential to facilitate the economic advance of millions of households in India and in low-income and middle-income export markets.
Medium-income and low-income urban areas will need much better mobility for their incomes to increase (along with the even more important issues of rule of law and property rights). It thus comes as good news that India’s Tata Motors is developing a “1 lakh” ($2,200) car. “Lakh” is an Indian term meaning 100,000. Thus a 1 lakh car is a 100,000 rupee car. This translates into approximately $2,200. Currently, Tata’s lowest price car is approximately $7,000.
Obviously the 1 lakh car will not have all of the features that would be expected of a Japanese, American or European economy car. However, it will provide the same basic need --- mobility throughout the urban area. It is expected that the 1 lakh car will be on the market by 2008. This revolutionary development has great potential to facilitate the economic advance of millions of households in India and in low-income and middle-income export markets.
2008/11/23
Fushun (Liaoning, China) Rental Car Tour Released
Fushun (Liaoning, China) Rental Car Tour Released
Urban Tours by Rental Car announces release of a rental car tour on Fushun: Rust Belt But Hopeful
The article can be downloaded at this address.
The tour includes 142 photographs, including an array from throughout the urban area.
Alphabetical List of Rental Car Tours
Geographical List of Rental Car Tours
Urban Tours by Rental Car announces release of a rental car tour on Fushun: Rust Belt But Hopeful
The article can be downloaded at this address.
The tour includes 142 photographs, including an array from throughout the urban area.
Alphabetical List of Rental Car Tours
Geographical List of Rental Car Tours
Shanghai Rental Car Tour Update Released
Shanghai Rental Car Tour Update Released
Urban Tours by Rental Car announces release of an updtated rental car tour on Shanghai, subtitled “Big Changes Ahead.”
The article can be downloaded at this address.
The tour includes 198 photographs, including an array from throughout the urban area with particular emphasis on The Bund, the new Shanghai World Financial Center and the new high-rise condominium, townhouse and detached house developments.
Alphabetical List of Rental Car Tours
Geographical List of Rental Car Tours
Urban Tours by Rental Car announces release of an updtated rental car tour on Shanghai, subtitled “Big Changes Ahead.”
The article can be downloaded at this address.
The tour includes 198 photographs, including an array from throughout the urban area with particular emphasis on The Bund, the new Shanghai World Financial Center and the new high-rise condominium, townhouse and detached house developments.
Alphabetical List of Rental Car Tours
Geographical List of Rental Car Tours
Ho Chi Minh City Rental Car Tour Released
Ho Chi Minh City Rental Car Tour Released
Urban Tours by Rental Car announces release of a rental car tour on Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, subtitled “Mobile Urban Area.”
The article can be downloaded at this address.
The tour highlights the continuing economic advance of Viet Nam, which is following China’s market reform path and achieving similar results.
The tour includes 234 photographs, including an array from throughout the urban area and pictures of the burgeoning new high-rise condominium, townhouse and detached house developments.
Alphabetical List of Rental Car Tours
Geographical List of Rental Car Tours
Urban Tours by Rental Car announces release of a rental car tour on Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, subtitled “Mobile Urban Area.”
The article can be downloaded at this address.
The tour highlights the continuing economic advance of Viet Nam, which is following China’s market reform path and achieving similar results.
The tour includes 234 photographs, including an array from throughout the urban area and pictures of the burgeoning new high-rise condominium, townhouse and detached house developments.
Alphabetical List of Rental Car Tours
Geographical List of Rental Car Tours
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